Calling all Tiger Fans: get prepared for MARCH MADNESS! The Alumni Association is planning watch parties, pre-game pep rallies and more across the country as the Tigers make their way through the NCAA Tournament. We’ll kick off the postseason festivities with a special edition newsletter next week, so don’t miss it! Whether you are looking for fellow alumni in your area to be TRUE BLUE with or you are planning to travel to the tournament games, you will find Alumni Club information on the best pre-game parties, watch parties and pep rallies! For more information, contact Alumni Coordinator Holly Beuke at 901/678-1782 or habeuke@memphis.edu or visit alumni.memphis.edu.

Attention Memphis Area Alumni!
Attention Memphis Area Alumni! Not able to attend the NCAA Basketball Tournament? Cheer on OUR Tigers at one of the following locations at a TRUE BLUE Watch Party for each U of M game during March Madness. All locations will offer special discounts for card carrying Alumni Association members. Not an Alumni Association member? click here to JOIN NOW!

You’re Invited to the Seventh Annual “Great Conversations” Event The College of Arts and Sciences will host its seventh annual community event, Great Conversations. This year’s event will be Thursday, March 27, 2008 at the University of Memphis Holiday Inn. Great Conversations is a unique dinner party where alumni and community friends gather together with award-winning research and teaching faculty to discuss the latest topics in college research. Genetic Frontiers, Portion Distortion, Memphis Neighborhoods and The Paradox of Gender and Power in American Politics are among the 20 topics to choose from at this year’s event.

You can make reservations online, view a complete list of topics and learn more about the event at the Great Conversations web site at http://cassian.memphis.edu/conversations/ or call 901/678-3523. Tickets are $75/ person and $65/Alumni Association Members & UMAR Members. Seating is limited so make your reservation today!

2008 Outstanding Alumni Nominations Needed for Alumni Awards DinnerThe Arts & Sciences Alumni Chapter needs your nomination for the 2008 Outstanding Alumni Award. Each year the chapter presents this award to a deserving Arts & Sciences graduate at its fall alumni awards dinner. We encourage you to nominate any graduate who demonstrates outstanding achievement in academic pursuits, research activities or community involvement. Please provide a nomination letter that addresses the nominee's professional accomplishments and the impact and influence on his or her business profession, a letter of support from one other individual unrelated to the candidate that addresses professional and/or community contribution criteria, and any additional information that would reflect on the nominee's achievements, character or contributions to the larger community. Members of the Arts & Sciences Alumni Chapter board of directors are not eligible. The deadline for nominations is March 31.Download the nomination form.

Alumni News and Upcoming Events

Our Alumni Association Website has a Brand New Look!Our Alumni Association website has a brand new look! You will find everything you are looking for and more on our new website, with information on Alumni benefits and events, our complete online magazine and chapter information. Not to mention you have the latest news, manuals, forms, photos and other goodies right at your fingertips! Make sure to check us out at alumni.memphis.edu

AUSP’s Annual Alumni Reception The AUSP Alumni Chapter will host its annual alumni reception on Thursday, March 27 at 5 pm at the Mid-South Conference on Communicative Disorders at the Hilton East. Each year the chapter takes this opportunity to name the winner of the Outstanding Alumnus Award. Make plans to attend today! For more information, contact the Alumni Association at 901/678-2333.

2008 Mid-South Indoor Percussion and Color Guard Competition
The Band Alumni Chapter is proud to announce that the 2008 Mid-South Indoor Percussion and Color Guard Competition is set for Saturday, March 29. It will be held at the Elma Neal Roane Fieldhouse on the U of M main campus. For updates or more information, visit www.tigerbandalumni.com.

Journalism Annual Mentorship Mix and Mingle
The Journalism Alumni Club will host its annual Mentorship Mix and Mingle on Monday, March 31 at 6 pm at the Alumni Center. Alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends are invited to enjoy an evening of mixing, mingling and networking with mentors and students participating in the Club’s Mentorship Program. Special guests will also include retiring faculty members, Drs. Jim Redmond and Elinor Grusin. For more information, or to RSVP, contact the Alumni Association at 901/678-3119 or alumnievents@memphis.edu.

Save the Date: Parents Club Family Weekend 2008
Calling all U of M families! Join us for Family Weekend 2008, April 12-13, presented by the Parents Club. Events will include the Blue-Gray spring football game, Tiger softball games, the Presidential Leadership Recognition Awards, a reception by the Parents Club with University staff and All-Sing. Tickets for the entire weekend are only $20/person or $50/family. For more information, please contact Lauren Isaacman at 901/678-2333 or lauren.isaacman@memphis.edu.

Law School for Journalists Workshop
The Law Alumni Chapter will partner with the U of M Journalism Department, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee and the Memphis Bar Association to host the third annual Law School for Journalists on Saturday, April 26 from 9am – 3pm. The event, Memphis 1968: race, media & the law, will be held at the National Civil Rights Museum. All alumni, friends, journalists, marketing and public relations professionals, attorneys and judges are invited to attend, with 5.5 hours of Ethics CLE credit available to attorneys and judges. For more information, contact Alumni Coordinator Kelly Davis at 901/678-4299 or kdavis9@memphis.edu.

Save the Date: The FCBE Alumni Chapter Panel Discussion
The FCBE Alumni Chapter will hold a panel discussion on “Surviving with a family in the corporate world” on Thursday, May 15. For more information, contact Alumni Coordinator Lauren Isaacman at 901/678-2333 or lauren.isaacman@memphis.edu.

Save the Date: Nashville Alumni’s Tiger Golf Classic
On Saturday, July 26, 2008, the Nashville Alumni Club will be holding their Inaugural Nashville Tiger Golf Classic in conjunction with their annual summer picnic. The golf tournament will be a 4-person scramble and will be held at Gaylord Springs Golf Links. Proceeds from the tournament will go toward the Nashville Alumni Scholarship. For more information or to join the Tigers in Music City mailing list contact Club President Mike Dodd at gotigersgo@nashvilletigers.com.

TRUE BLUE Clubs Across the Country

More TRUE BLUE Clubs!
We are looking to expand and form more TRUE BLUE Clubs across the country! If you live in Boston, Denver, Little Rock, New York City, Jackson, Miss., Jackson, Tenn. or San Francisco, please contact Alumni Coordinator Holly Beuke at 901/678-1782 or habeuke@memphis.edu for more information on how you can get involved!

Are you TRUE BLUE? The University of Memphis in some way has touched us all, giving each of us a special feeling of pride. It's a pride we call TRUE BLUE, and we know you have it. You don't have to be U of M alumni to join the University of Memphis Alumni Association. You need only the desire to help safeguard the prosperity of a great institution. Membership dues go toward funding scholarships, social events, awarding outstanding faculty and students and connecting members with the University. Become part of U of M tradition, pride and excellence and JOIN TODAY by going to alumni.memphis.edu or calling 901/678-ALUM.